The setup

The Falcons and their high-flying offense, led by QB Matt Ryan, go against an old-school team that runs the ball well with Marshawn Lynch and plays hard-nosed defense.

Key matchup

Seahawks cornerbacks

vs. Falcons receivers

As a tandem, Atlanta WRs Roddy White and Julio Jones could be the NFL’s best: they combined for 171 catches, 17 TDs and more than 2,500 yards. Seattle’s secondary — led by CBs Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner — is the best in the league and one of the few capable of shutting down White and Jones (not to mention future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez). Sherman is 6 feet 3 and Browner is 6-4, and they have combined for 11 interceptions and 30 passes defensed. “This is probably the best pair and pair that you could match up, because of the size and because of their physical nature in the way that they play,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “It’s going to be really exciting to see.”< /p>

Stats and stuff

If Seattle reaches the Super Bowl, it won’t have played a home playoff game in doing so. The Seahawks won a wild-card game at Washington last week, and if they win today to advance to the NFC championship game, they will play at the Green Bay-San Francisco winner. … Ryan set franchise records with 4,719 yards passing and 32 TD passes. … The Seahawks’ defense led the NFL in fewest points allowed (15.3 average) and TDs allowed (25).

Fun fact

Carroll is 0-3 against Atlanta, and Falcons coach Mike Smith is 2-0 against the Seahawks. The teams are meeting for the first time in the playoffs.

How it might play out

The pressure is on Atlanta. The NFC’s top seed, the Falcons have been one-and-done in their past four playoffs, including 0-3 under Smith. Ryan is 33-6 in the Georgia Dome, but, also 0-3 in the playoffs, he could be pressing to finally win one. He’s facing a Seahawks team that has won six straight and has the perfect formula to beat a quick-strike team: a tough defense, grinding offense and sky-high confidence.